Wendell Ford

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, may we have order so we can understand?

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessary absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski], is necessary absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski], is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, this is a tax increase of some 1,100 percent. On that basis, and on behalf of myself, Senators Robb, Hollings, Nunn, Thurmond, Helms, McConnell, Faircloth, Coverdell, Thompson, Warner, and Frist, I move to table this amendment and ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. FORD. I thank the Senator.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote by which the motion was agreed to.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, this is a $140 billion tax increase. Therefore, on behalf of myself, Senator Robb, Senator Hollings, Senator Helms, Senator McConnell, Senator Faircloth, Senator Coverdell, Senator Thompson, Senator Warner, Senator Frist, and Senator Thurmond, I move to table the amendment and ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I ask unanimous consent that I might have 1 minute, as the Senator from New Mexico, as if in morning business.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, throughout my career in public service, I have had [[Page S7490]] the good fortune of having a number of bright, loyal, and hard working individuals on my staff. One such individual is James O. King, now serving as Minority Staff Director of the Senate Rules Committee, who is retiring on June 5. Jim has been a very good friend to me for many years. He worked with me back when I served as Governor of Kentucky, came with me to Washington as one of my Administrative Assistants, and was Staff Director of the Rules Committee for 7 years. He has served the Commonwealth in a number of roles in public administration, including working under no less than five Kentucky governors. In addition, he served in a number of capacities in higher education in the Commonwealth, including Vice President for Administration and also Administrative Assistant to the President of the University of Kentucky. It seemed that no matter what job title he held, Jim was always working in public service, always trying to give something back. We here in the Senate have been recipients of some of the fruits of his labor. Jim was a key person in 1988 to help the Committee review Senate rules and procedures. Under his direction, the Rules Committee has addressed a number of major pieces of legislation including the motor-voter bill and campaign finance reform. And all the while, he was still keeping a eye on the ``nuts and bolts'' of the Senate operation. Anyone who's ever come in contact with Jim knows that he loves Kentucky, its people and its way of life. And, from what I understand from reliable sources, he's already getting in the swing of retirement by posting some of the best golf scores he's had in recent years! We're going to miss Jim on the Rules Committee. And I know I'm speaking for my staff, the Rules Committee staff, and the Senate as a whole, in thanking him for his good work and wishing him all the best for his retirement.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski] is necessarily absent.